We get it. Talking about money can be as comfortable as wearing stilettos on a hike. Let’s talk about therapy, because your mental health deserves more than a quick scroll through wellness TikTok. Whether you’ve been curious about starting therapy for a while or you’ve finally decided that this is the year you’re actually going to do something about those ongoing fights, one of the first questions that pops up is almost always the same: “How much is the cost of couples therapy?” Totally fair question, and honestly, the answer is a little more nuanced than most people expect. The good news? You have more options than you think.
This post is here to walk you through everything, from insurance and sliding scale fees to online therapy and community resources, so you can stop letting the price tag be the reason you put your relationship and mental health on the back burner. You’ve got this, and we’ve got you covered.
Understanding the cost of couples therapy
When it comes to saving your relationship, many factors can affect that price. To grow together as a couple, here are the factors that affect the cost of couples therapy.
Location
Couples or marriage counseling in this Sunny San Diego location isn’t exactly the same as a casual brunch bill. We’re diving into the nitty-gritty of investing in your love story. Therapy doesn’t come cheap, but neither do the years you and your partner have been together or the therapist’s time and expertise.
According to Kavita Patil, MA, LMFT, the average cost of couples counseling in San Diego, CA, is $178 per session. Others, such as San Francisco, have an average pricing of $220 per session.
If you want a price range, a 50-60-minute couples or marriage counseling session in San Diego costs from $100 to $300, with an average session costing around $150-$200.
Frequency of Sessions
Keep in mind that Rome wasn’t built in a day. You will need more than one session to reach an understanding and achieve your couple’s goals. A therapist typically recommends at least three months or 12 weeks of consistent couples therapy.
“I typically tell my couples to give me one month for every year they have been together. We have to stop the negative patterns and then create a new positive pattern that is long-term.” – Jennine Estes, Owner of Estes Therapy
When couples begin therapy, the process typically starts with a joint session where both partners meet with the therapist together. Think of it as everyone getting on the same page. From there, each partner will have an individual assessment session, giving the therapist a chance to understand each person’s unique perspective. In the early stages, sessions are usually held weekly, with a focus on reducing tension and cooling down conflict (known as the de-escalation phase). Once things start to feel a little more stable, sessions often shift to every other week as the real growth work begins.
If you reside in San Diego and your therapist requires that you meet with them weekly for 12 weeks and charges $100 for each session, you’d be spending $1,200.
It is almost essential to note that weekly sessions are more expensive than bi-weekly and monthly sessions.
Therapist Expertise and Experience
Counseling is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. A therapist’s clients pay the therapist for their education and experience. The higher the education and training the therapist has acquired, the longer they have been in the field, the more a couples therapist or marriage counselor would charge. At Estes Therapy, we make sure our clinicians have extensive training in relationship counseling (Emotionally Focused Therapy), since they work with couples every hour.
Location also influences the level of education. In some states, the minimum education requirement for a therapist is an MD or PhD. In California, the minimum requirement is a Master’s degree in psychology.
Licensed therapists, both licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC) and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), might charge more. However, therapists working to earn their license or under a licensed therapist’s supervision charge less in their sessions for having less experience.
Session Duration
A typical session with a couples counselor is 50 minutes. However, the more complex issues in your relationship may require a longer duration, which can affect the cost of each session. Here ate Estes Therapy, we offer longer counseling sessions to give space and time for your relationship.
Slide Scale Fees
Some therapists may offer a sliding scale fee based on your income and ability to pay, reducing the cost of improving your relationship. Don’t hesitate to ask your therapist for their slide scale therapy rates for couples or marriage counseling costs.
Low-Cost Pricing for Couples / Marriage Counseling Therapists
Therapy costs money. However, most therapists will offer low-fee slots. This will come with the caveat of being at non-peak times or via a service such as Telehealth.
Another option is to look for an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). These therapists have their Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and clinical hours but have yet to sit for their licensing exam. You can read more about AMFTs here.
Does Insurance Cover the Costs of Couples Therapy?
It is possible to use your health plan to pay for couples therapy under mental health if you or your partner is diagnosed with a mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. The therapist you want must also be in-network with your plan.
Insurance providers reduce the cost of couples or marriage counseling with copays. However, although you attend couples therapy with your partner, you may only co-pay for one person in your insurance coverage.
To increase the chances of your insurance covering a part of each session, we provide superbills that contain the basic information they need to decide whether to reimburse you. Instead of the therapist billing your insurance provider, we provide a superbill that you can give them for more affordable counseling. At Estes Therapy, we do not take health insurance at this time.
Find the BEST fit for a Couples Counselor, not the cheapest option.
Don’t take the “one size fits all” approach and search for the cheapest therapist in San Diego. Whether your marriage has been affected by a significant event, an affair, a sudden illness, or job loss, or you feel like there is more and more conflict with less resolution, your relationship may be at a critical point.
You want to find the couples therapist that best fits your needs, not the cheapest. Getting the right help you need now can help you feel closer to your partner than ever. It gives you both the tools to navigate future conflicts or life changes. Taking the time to interview therapists will save you money and heartache from having to replace counselors repeatedly.
Fortunately, Estes Therapy eliminates the guesswork and cost of visiting multiple therapists in Mission Valley and Oceanside of San Diego, CA. We provide a free matching appointment with your Care Coordinator to find the best therapist with the skills and experience to help you.
Is the Cost of Couples Counseling Fees Worth The Cost?
Yes. If you are dedicated to your relationship and truly want to put in the effort, then therapy’s worth the price. Therapy will help you work through the obstacles in your relationship and work together to face the obstacles in each of your individual lives. You will garner tools to understand yourself better, express your feelings, and recognize your negative cycle as the problem, not you or your partner.
It’s also important to remember that investing in your relationship through couples therapy can have long-lasting benefits. It can help you improve communication, strengthen your emotional connection, and work through challenges as a team.
Here at Estes Therapy, our fees range from $100 to $220 per couples therapy session. However, we do offer some options for reduced fees based on income and other factors.
Whether you are looking to start your marriage with a more stable foundation through premarital counseling, or if you need help working through an obstacle – whether that is an affair or poor communication – the sooner you start couples therapy, the sooner you heal your relationship and yourself. We offer the convenience of in-person and online couples counseling.
You can check out our low fee couples counseling options here.
